Loanees

After missing out last week through suspension, Pedro Botelho returned to action to take his place amongst the Salamanca substitutes for the penultimate home game of the season against Zaragoza.

With their slim homes of acheiving promotion to La Liga recently diminished, Los Charros had little to play for so it was no suprise when they fell behind to a Ewerthon strike with less than 120 seconds on the clock.

Zaragoza are still in with a shout of edging out Xerez at the top of the table and doubled their lead when the classy Ewerthon struck again after 11 minutes.

Quique Martin gave Salamanca hope of making a dramatic comeback when he pulled a goal back from the penalty spot, but Jorge Lopez struck ten minutes from time to seal victory for the visitors and leave Arsenal’s Spanish link club in seventh place.

Pedro replaced Rodri with 14 minutes left but had little time to make an impact on proceedings. The final two games of the campaign, against Murcia and Hércules, are expected to be the Brazilian’s final games for Salamanca before a decision on his immediate future is made in the summer.

In other loanees news, Havard Nordtveit is likely to start at centre-back for Lillestrom tonight as they take on Fredrikstad in the Tippeligaen.

Aaron Ramsey- Azerbaijan 0 Wales 1

Wales’ hopes of qualifying for next summer’s showpiece in South Africa are as good as gone, but they showed that the future looks bright as John Toshack’s brave young side beat Azerbaijan 1-0 in a World Cup 2010 qualifier.

Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey started as part of a three-man midfield and impressed throughout, pulling the strings in the centre of the park.

A goal from Dave Edwards three minutes before the break ensured victory for Wales.

Nacer Barazite- Slovenia U19 1 Netherlands U19 1

Nacer played the whole game as the Netherlands suffered another blow to their hopes of qualifying for next month’s UEFA u-19 European Championships in Ukraine.

Having been held to a goalless draw by Belarus in their first fixtures, a win was needed to ignite some much-needed confidence amongst the Dutch ranks.

They began well enough, taking the lead through Marcus Vejinovic but Slovenia equalised in the second period to ensure that it ended honours even.

The Dutch face Russia in their final qualifier on Tuesday, knowing that anything other than a win will not be enough.

Conor Henderson’s Republic of Ireland side are in action against Switzerland this afternoon.

Henri picked up an ankle injury as Scunthorpe suffered a narrow defeat at home to MK Dons in League One.

Lansbury was withdrawn in the dying seconds, after Luke Chadwick opened the scoring for MK Dons.

Gary Hooper had an effort ruled out for offside and after the match, manager Neil Adkins spoke about the extent of Lansbury’s injury. “Henri’s twisted his ankle. He’s got a lot of ice on it at the moment while Joseph Mills has also picked up a knock.”

“We’ll analyse everything. I’ve got to make sure that we go into Tuesday night’s game full of energy, full of vigour and full of verve because we never had that against MK Dons on Saturday.”

The Iron are two points adrift of the play-off places but still have two games in hand.

Pedro Botelho- Salamanca 3 Alicante 1

Pedro racked up an assist in Salamanca’s 3-1 trouncing of Alicante.

Quique Martin opened the scoring on 11 minutes, with Miku doubling the lead on 69 minutes. Pedro turned provider in the dying moments as Miku got his second of the game.

Substitute Merino grabbed a late consolation for the visit0rs.

Paul Rodgers- Leyton Orient 1 Northampton 3

Paul set up a goal on his return from injury.

An own-goal from former Arsenal youngster Jason Crowe gave Orient the lead, but Northampton responded in spectacular fashion, with Adebayo Akinfenwa equalising for the Cobblers.

Aleksandar Prijovic then made it 2-1, with Rodgers laying the ball on for Ikechi Anya to score the final goal in stoppage time.

Rui Fonte- Crystal Palace 1 Derby 0

Rui started the game as Palace beat Derby 1-0 in a closely-fought encounter at Selhurst Park.

Palace had winger Victor Moses sent off for a second-bookable offence when he brought down Mile Sterjovski, but they persevered and took the lead after a superb lob by Shefki Kuqi.

Rui was withdrawn on 66 minutes after putting in a decent shift and watched from the bench as Palace survived a late scare which involved Derby’s Rob Hulse smashing the ball against the crossbar late on.

Havard Nordtveit-Lillestrom 1 Tromso 1

Havard played the whole 90 minutes at right-back as Lillestrom were held to a 1-1 draw by Tromso.

Kerrea Gilbert- Southend 0 Leicester 2

Kerrea missed out on Leicester’s promotion party with a dislocated shoulder.

The right-back is expected to be out for the rest of the season and is currently undergoing treatment at London Colney.

Something which might make him feel better is that he will recieve a League One winners medal after the Foxes wrapped up the title and promotion with a 2-0 win over Southend.

Rene Steer- Chesterfield 0 Gillingham 1

Rene was an un-used sub as he returned to the Gillingham squad for the narrow victory over Chesterfield.

Mark McCammon scored the only goal of the game.

Jay Simpson-Man.City v West Brom (Sun)

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray has revealed that he will not leave Jay out of the Baggies side despite the striker re-iterating that he will return to Arsenal at the end of the season.

Speaking earlier this week, Mowbray said: ”Does it (wanting to go back to Arsenal) make it any more difficult for him? No. Like with any player who comes on loan, we’re not the parent club.

“You utilise and use loan players as best you can for your club and nothing has changed as far as I am concerned with Jay Simpson.”

Arsenal striker Jay Simpson insists that he will return to the club in the summer when his loan spell with relegation-threatened West Brom comes to a conclusion.

Last month Baggies manager Tony Mowbray revealed that he was in talks with Jay about the possibility of extending his loan to next season, but Simpson is adamant that he will return to Arsenal.

Simpson, who was an un-used substitute as West Brom drew 2-2 with Portsmouth yesterday, said:

“If I was thinking about (coming) back on loan, then what’s the point in going back to Arsenal? It wouldn’t make sense.

“My plan is to go back to Arsenal and get into their first team. Everyone wants to play in the Premier League but I want to go back and make a difference.

“I don’t want to keep going out on loan. That’s not why I signed a deal with Arsenal.”

Rui Fonte- Crystal Palace 0 Cardiff 2

Portuguese striker Rui Fonte played almost all of this controversial match before being withdrawn in second-half stoppage time.

A Ross McCormack brace, the first of which was a penalty, sealed the win for Cardiff, but the energetic Fonte, playing on the right-wing, had a penalty claim turned down.

Fonte was booked after a challenge on former Gunner Jay Bothroyd for persistent fouling and was replaced by Nathaniel Pinney in the dying seconds to avoid being sent-off.

Cardiff centre-back Roger Johnson was sent to hospital after suffering a throat injury following an elbow by Claude Davis.

Henri Lansbury- Scunthorpe 1 Huddersfield 2

The Iron were looking for the perfect response after their Wembley heartbreak last weekend, but even an inspired Henri Lansbury couldn’t prevent defeat at home to Huddersfield which saw them slip out of the play-off places, albeit with two games in hand over their closest rivals.

Martyn Woolford put the hosts ahead with a stunning strike from outside the area, but the visitors soon levelled through Tom Clarke.

Lansbury tried his best to restore the deficit with a couple of drilled efforts, but his attempts were in vain as Huddersfield took the lead through Gary Roberts ten minutes into the second half with what ultimately proved to be the winner.

Lansbury’s frustration was summed up in stoppage time at the end of the second-half when he was booked for dissent.

Pedro Botelho- Alicante v Salamanca (Sun, 5pm)

Pedro will start for Salamanca this evening at left-back after recovering from the throat problem which has kept him out since the Celta Vigo game.

Most Arsenal players have yet to play at the new Wembley, but Henri Lansbury got his opportunity this afternoon as Scunthorpe took on Luton Town in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final.

Starting on the right-wing, Lansbury quickly moved into a more central position and it didn’t take long to exert his influence on the game, producing a canny backheel on five minutes, Matt Sparrow latched on to it but drilled his shot straight at the ‘keeper.

Scunthorpe had dominated the early periods of the game and took the lead after just 13 minutes when a long ball downfield was nodded down by Paul Hayes into the path of the prolific Gary Hooper who, after demonstrating his fantastic dribbling skills, fired the ball across the hapless ‘keeper for his 30th goal of the season.

Lansbury very nearly made it 2-0 soon after, when a corner was swung in from the left. The England u-19 international snatched at it on the half-volley and launched a screaming shot towards goal, which was cleared away after some miraculous defending by Luton.

Scunthorpe, and Lansbury in particular, were left regretting that chance when the Hatters drew level on 31 minutes. A well-worked move came to a dramatic conclusion when Chris Martin guided the ball home for 1-1 which left everyone connected with Iron feeling very yellow indeed.

The second-half saw chances at both ends, with Lansbury once again in the thick of the action, having his shot deflected for a corner after a sharp burst down the left-flank, with Krystian Pearce stabbing wide from the resulting set-piece.

It was Luton who took the lead, however, when Tom Craddock dispatched a quality finish from the edge of the area into the back of the net.

The Iron piled forward in search of an equaliser with Lansbury smashing the ball against the bar and then complaining that he should have recieved a penalty.

It didn’t mater, though, as a stunning strike from Grant McCann sent the game into extra-time.

Claude Gnapka’s lob proved to be the difference between the two sides, although Lansbury did come close to forcing penalties, curling a shot across goal after some poor defending.

However, it wasn’t to be and the important thing now for Henri and the Iron will be to move on and hope that this result does not derail their League One play-off campaign.

Jay Simpson- West Brom 0 Stoke 2

Jay worked hard up front during the hour in which he was on the field but he couldn’t prevent the Baggies slipping to yet another costly defeat.

Tony Mowbray’s side were behind with less than two minutes on the clock when Ricardo Fuller capitalised on a Shelton Martis error and James Beattie sealed the win just after half-time.

Simpson could have equalised when the score was at 1-0 but instead his well-hit shot went narrowly wide. His frustration was compounded on the hour mark, when he was replaced by Felipe Teixeira.

Kerrea Gilbert- Leicester 2 Carlisle 2

Kerrea only played the first 45 minutes after picking up an injury, but watched on from the bench as Leicester came from behind to lead 2-1, only for Carlisle to snatch a late equaliser.

The Foxes were behind when Michael Bridges put the visitors in front, but strikes from Matt Oakley and Matt Fryatt put the League One leaders in the driving seat.

However, Scott Dobie snuffled home a late equaliser two minutes from time as Leicester’s lead at the top of League One was cut to just two points.

Rui Fonte- QPR 0 Crystal Palace 0

Rui was an un-used sub as Crystal Palace played out a goalless draw with QPR, who featured Arsenal Academy product Matthew Connolly in their line-up.

One Fonte did come on for the injured Clint Hill on 40 minutes, but unfortunately for Rui it was his brother, Jose, who entered the fray instead.

Havard Nordtveit- Alesunds FK v Lillestrom

Havard is expected to start for Lillestrom against Alesunds FK this evening.

Gary Hooper opened the scoring for the Iron nine minutes before half-time and Lansbury provided the assist for Hooper’s second goal on 59 minutes.

Lansbury, who showed no recurrence of the ankle injury which kept him out of England u-19 action in midweek, then got on the scoresheet himself ten minutes later, drilling the ball home from the edge of the penalty area after being set up by Paul Hayes.

Lansbury was substituted with fourteen minutes remaining and recieved a fantastic reception from the home crowd as the Iron tightened their grip on a play-off place.

Kerrea Gilbert- Peterborough 2 Leicester 0

Kerrea played the whole game as Leicester’s lead at the top of League One was slashed to four points after the Foxes succumbed at the hands of Peterborough.

Charlie Lee and Chris Whelpdale scored the decisive goals for Posh, who had manager Darren Ferguson sent to the stands, but it was an afternoon to forget for Gilbert and his team-mates.

Pedro Botelho- Huesca v Salamanca

Pedro has been named in the Salamanca squad and is expected to start at left-back against Huesca this evening.

Pedro played the whole game as Salamanca surrendered their one-goal lead and eventually ended up losing to Tenerife.

Fans favourite Miku put Los Charros in front and it could have been two-nil soon afterwards. Pedro embarked on a barnstorming run down the left and pulled the ball back for Steve Cohen, but the Frenchman failed to score.

It proved to be a costly miss. Tenerife came back into it with a Nino penalty before the interval and Nino was at it again in the second-period to deprive Salamanca of three points.

Henri Lansbury- Scunthorpe 2 Brighton 0

Henri set up Scunthorpe’s first goal in their 2-0 victory over Brighton.

The England Youth international started brightly, drilling an effort narrowly wide after just four minutes.

But his real moment of brilliance came when he laid the ball on for Gary Hooper to fire home 0n 41 minutes. Henri was withdrawn at the break but will no doubt be pleased with his contribution to the game.

Jay Simpson- West Brom 1 Bolton 1

Jay was recalled to the Baggies’ starting line-up for Bolton’s visit to the Hawthorns.

He looked bright early on and was full of running, but failed to carve out any attacking opportunities.

West Brom, who had a Marc-Antoine Fortuné strike ruled out for offside, had goalkeeper Scott Carson to thank for thwarting the opposition, most notably Matt Taylor on numerous occasions.

But Taylor eventually did get the better of the England ‘keeper on 66 minutes. However, West Brom equalised nine minutes from time when Robert Koren’s strike took an almighty deflection off Danny Shittu and flew into the back of the net.

Simpson was withdrawn on 57 minutes and replaced by Roman Bednar.

Nacer Barazite- Derby 0 Barnsley 0

Nacer played the first half as Derby and Barnsley shared the points in a forgettable encounter at Pride Park.

The Dutchman was a threat early on with his crosses, before being replaced by Barry Bannan at the break.

Gavin Hoyte- Ipswich 0 Watford 0

Gavin played the final 40 minutes as Watford held on for a point against Ipswich at Portman Road.

Hoyte replaced Jay DeMerit with 50 minutes on the clock and played a vital part as the Hornets kept the Tractor Boys at bay.

Rui Fonte- Crystal Palace 0 Reading 0

Rui came on for the final two minutes as Palace held Reading to a goalless draw at Selhurst Park.

The Portuguese youth international replaced John Oster on 88 minutes.

Havard Nordtveit- Lillestrom v Viking (5pm)

Havard is expected to start at right-back this evening as Lillestrom look for their first win of the season when they take on Viking.

Kerrea Gilbert- Leicester 1 Colchester 1

Kerrea played the whole game as Leicester missed out on the chance to extend their lead at the top of League One following their 1-1 draw with Colchester at the Walkers Stadium.

A Mark Yeates free-kick put the visitors ahead on 23 minutes but the Foxes levelled through former Arsenal striker Paul Dickov with 24 minutes remaining.

Paul Rodgers- Northampton 4 Stockport 0

Paul played the whole second-half as Northampton annihalated Stockport in League One.

Goals from Adebayo Akinfenwa, Abdul Osman, Luke Guttridge and Scott Vernon gave the Cobblers victory, with Rodgers looking assured in possession after replacing Chris Doig. Rodgers also played his part defensively, with a series of impressive blocks at the back.

Pedro put in an impressive performance at left-back as Salamanca smashed Sevilla’s ‘B’ side for six.

Salva grabbed two goals inside 15 minutes to put the Union ahead and then Quique Martin notched a brace with a goal either side of the half-time interval. Centre-back Sergio Rodriguez, on loan from Deportivo, went on to make it 5-0 with Miku sealing the win with the sixth 13 minutes from time.

The victory is sure to boost confidence throughout the whole side as Salamanca continue their push towards promotion.

Nacer Barazite- Plymouth 0 Derby 3

Nacer started on the right-wing once more as Derby enjoyed a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Plymouth.

Gary Teale put the Rams ahead just before the break and then a Rob Hulse brace in the second period sealed the win. Nacer was a constant threat with his deep crosses before being replaced by Mile Sterjovski 15 minutes from time.

Kerrea Gilbert- Leicester 0 Oldham 0

Kerrea put in another solid performance at right-back as League One leaders Leicester were held to a dissapointing goalless draw by Oldham at the Walkers Stadium.

The flashpoint of the match game just four minutes into the second half when Oldham ‘keeper Greg Fleming brought Matty Fryatt down in the area. A penalty was awarded and Fleming was sent off.

Without a substitute goalie on the bench, veteran striker Dean Windass volunteered to go in goal. His first task was to stop the in-form Fryatt from converting from five yards. Fryatt missed and Windass wnt on to keep an impressive clean-sheet.

Gilbert was replaced by Max-Alain Gradel with 17 minutes left on the clock.

Rene Steer- Gillingham 0 Bradford 2

Rene finally made his Gillingham debut after coming on as a 78th minute substitute in the 2-0 defeat to Bradford.

By then the game was already over. Omar Daley and Michael Boulding were on target for the Bantams but Steer will be happy just to have got on the pitch after replacing Dennis Oli.

Philippe Senderos- AC Milan 1 Reggina 1

Philippe was an un-used substitute as Milan came from behind to draw 1-1 with Reggina at the San Siro.

Davide De Gennaro put the visitors in the lead before the break but a Kaka penalty three minutes from time earned Milan a much-needed point in their Serie A title push.

Jay Simpson- West Brom 2 Newcastle 3

A hamstring injury picked up in the FA Cup defeat to Burnley in mid-week meant that Jay had a spectator’s role as West Brom were edged out by Newcastle in a pulsating clash at the Hawthorns.

The game began at a frenetic pace with three goals in the first nine minutes. The visitors were determined to give ill manager Joe Kinnear something to smile about with a victory and they took the lead less than two minutes in after Damien Duff capitalised on a mistake by Leon Barnett to slot home. The Baggies were soon back in in through Jay’s replacement Marc-Antoine Fortune, but Newcastle’s new addition Peter Lovenkrands then made it 2-1. Centre-back Steven Taylor extended Newcastle’s lead before the break but Fortune’s second of the afternoon made it a nervy final 17 minutes for the Magpies. Nonetheless, West Brom’s poor form continues and they remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.

Armand Traore- Portsmouth 2 Liverpool 3

Armand missed out through injury as Portsmouth twice took the lead against Liverpool in this evening kick-off only to end up losing 3-2.

After a goalless first-half, David Nugent prodded Pompey in to the lead after slotting home Crouch’s ball in. Liverpool then equalised through Fabio Aurelio but Hermann Hreidarsson’s header from Nadir Belhadj’s free-kick restored the hosts’ advantage. But substitute Fernando Torres struck in injury time to snatch all three points at the death and heap yet more pressure on Arsenal legend Tony Adams.

Vincent van den Berg- FC Zwolle 1 VVV Venlo 2

Vincent didn’t feature as Zwolle suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to VVV Venlo.

Kantelburg put the visitors ahead on 29 minutes with El Gaaouri doubling Venlo’s advantage in the second-period. Substitute Bonaficio pulled one back for the hosts seven minutes from time but it had no bearing on the final result.